Kano Defections Won’t Diminish Our 2027 Chances – Kwankwasiyya

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has said the defection of politicians and supporters to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State will not affect its chances of winning the 2027 elections.

The movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Mohammed, stated this yesterday while reacting to the reported defection of over 130,000 people from various political parties to the APC at a rally in Kano on Saturday.

Mohammed, in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, dismissed the figure as exaggerated, alleging that the event was primarily organised by the group to demonstrate support for President Bola Tinubu and to showcase the political strength of the Kano State Government.

He said the reported defections of some prominent members of the Kwankwasiyya political family would not weaken the movement, insisting that its strength derives from its grassroots supporters.

“The defection of people holding any political office in Kwankwasiyya or in government from Kwankwasiyya does not in any way alter or affect the winning chances of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

“Kwankwasiyya is never built around those people. It is always Kwankwasiyya that makes these people, not the other way round,” he said.

The spokesperson said those who were no longer comfortable with the movement’s principles were free to leave, but argued that their departure would not undermine its electoral support.

According to him, Kwankwasiyya remains rooted in the aspirations of ordinary people, who ultimately determine election outcomes.

Mohammed recalled that the movement secured more than one million votes in Kano in the last general election, saying the number of people who attended the APC rally could not be compared with its wider grassroots support.

He also alleged that some participants at the rally were mobilised from various locations and given money to attend the event.

He said, “It is the common man that votes, and they are the ones making decisions in alignment with the aspiration which they believe can only be fulfilled with the Kwankwasiyya Movement, irrespective of who is driving it.”

Mohammed expressed confidence that the movement would retain its support base and win the 2027 elections in Kano.